Condolence: The first time I saw Syd, I think this is the first time; he was changing a flat tire on a XK 120 where Bryant Crescent exits onto Bryant Avenue. I was driving with my mother in her old VW bug. I made some comment about changing the tire on the side of the road and he said “it’s not too bad”. I didn’t realize who he was. I knew Jan and all the kids because I worked at Whalen’s Service Station where they all got their gas and had their cars serviced. But I had never met Syd because he mostly came in on Saturday or Tuesday and I was loth to work on the weekend and mostly worked evenings.
It was about 10 years later when we really met. I was working at that station full time then. We became friendly and I enjoyed chatting with him when he came in, especially with a weird project. I’m not sure what year it was when he bought his red J2 Allard but he needed to have a few things modified so he could go to Lime Rock to race it in a Vintage event. My boss, Paul Whalen, decided I should help our lead mechanic, Jim Bauer, make the needed changes. As it turned out Syd also needed someone to go with him to the track to take care of whatever came up. He made me an offer and before I knew it I had a hotel reservation in Lakeville CT.
That was the beginning of a long relationship / friendship. For ten or fifteen years we worked on his cars at the house or at the service station and traveled around the eastern half of the country on weekends for races. Syd must have sensed my lack of desire to work on the weekends because we always went to lunch at Sam’s on Gedney Way for after we were done. When he sold the business and started collecting more cars he kept our relationship going even though the cars were now taken care of by the folks at Vintage Connection in Oklahoma.
Syd played an outsized role in my life although he may not have realized it. He was a classy, low key, honorable, gracious, charming, understated gentleman, and a dyed in the wool car guy. In many ways he showed me how to be an adult. There were a lot of lessons that came my way because of him and I am grateful that I knew him and his family.
I am deeply, deeply saddened by his loss. My thoughts are with his wife Joan, daughter Marie, sons, Mark, Michael, and Matt. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Condolence: My heart is deeply sadden my the news of Syd Silverman's passing on Sunday, August 27th, 2017. Syd was not only my boss at Vintage Motorsport magazine but my mentor. I admired his grace, class and demeanor. He was always level headed and gave everyone a fair shake. He always had a smile and a witty joke to brighten your day. He gave me opportunities that I don't know if others would have but also the passion to prove myself. You will be greatly missed my friend.
God bless the family. I pray you all have comfort in these very difficult times.